Methods for Controlling Weeds and Water Using a Bag Filled with Landscaping Material

ABSTRACT

A bag constructed of a weed suppression material for packaging a ground cover material. When the bag is in a closed configuration, the bag serves as a container for shipping, handling, and storage of the ground cover material. When the bag is opened and unfolded, and the ground cover material within the bag is spread over the opened and unfolded bag, the bag serves as a layer of weed suppression material on top of underlying soil and beneath the ground cover. In addition, the bag may be used for planting individual plants in a planting bed, for establishing a buffer zone around the foundation of a building, or for controlling erosion around a downspout of a building.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/959,204, filed Aug. 5, 2013, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/795,841, filed Jun. 8, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,522,476, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a bag for packaging landscapingmaterial, and more particularly to methods for using the bag for weedsuppression, pest control, and water control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a planting bed for flowers and/or vegetables, a ground covermaterial, including mulches, rock material, composted soil (garden soilor potting soil), and ground synthetic particles, is often spread on topof the soil among the flowering plants and/or the vegetables plants. Theground cover material offers several advantages. The ground cover can beselected to maintain soil moisture or to inhibit soil compaction. In thecase of flower beds, the ground cover material can be selected to createa pleasing aesthetic appearance to show off the flowers.

In order to lower the maintenance required for planting beds,particularly to inhibit the growth of weeds in the planting beds, aseparate weed suppression material is often laid on top of the soil andunder the ground cover.

In planting individual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables, in aplanting bed, the soil of the planting bed often needs amendment by theaddition of a top layer of enriched composted soil. In addition, weedsin the planting bed should be controlled as the flowers and/orvegetables mature. Further, moisture should be retained in the soil ofthe planting bed. Therefore, a need exists for a simple method forplanting individual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables, in aplanting bed that addresses the need for soil amendment, weed control inthe planting bed and moisture retention.

Organic materials and mulches located adjacent the foundation of abuilding create a risk of insect intrusion and of water damage.Consequently, a need exists to easily create a buffer zone of rockmaterial along the perimeter of the foundation of the building toinhibit insect intrusion and control water damage.

Downspouts from the gutters of a building create the potential forerosion at the site where the downspout discharges water onto thelandscape around the building. Therefore, a need exists for erosioncontrol at the discharge point of the building downspouts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses both the need for a ground covermaterial and the need for a weed suppression material for a plantingbed. Particularly, the present invention comprises a bag constructed ofa weed suppression material for packaging a ground cover material. Whenthe bag of the present invention is in its closed configuration, the bagserves as a container for shipping, handling, and storage of the groundcover material. When installing the ground cover material in theplanting bed, the bag of the present invention is opened and unfolded,and the ground cover material within the bag is spread over the openedand unfolded bag. Consequently, the bag serves as a layer of weedsuppression material on top of the underlying soil and beneath theground cover.

The ground cover material that may be used in connection with the bag ofthe present invention may include mulches, such as pine straw, chippedwood bark, grain straws, shredded wood materials, or other mulches knownto those of ordinary skill in the landscaping art. The ground cover mayalso include rock material, including sand, crushed stone, gravel, peagravel, graded stone, shale, or other rock materials known to those ofordinary skill in the landscaping art. The ground cover may also includeground synthetic particles, such as ground rubber particles and groundplastic particles. The ground cover may also include composted soil.

The weed suppression material for the bag of the present invention maybe a sheet of perforated plastic, biodegradable/compostable plasticfilm, paper, cardboard or cloth fabric. For most planting bedapplications, the weed suppression material should be porous in order toallow water and air to pass through the weed suppression material to theroots of the plants in the underlying soil. The bag of the presentinvention may be constructed with an impervious temporary outer coatingor an impervious internal liner to ensure integrity of the bag duringshipping, handling, and storage. The temporary coating or linerdissolves when the bag comes in contact with moist soil, or thetemporary liner is manually removed when the bag is opened. Further, theweed suppression material of the bag may be biodegradable within a 3 to24 month period of time to ensure suppression of weeds during thegrowing season and to ensure that there is no buildup of the weedsuppression material in the planting bed from growing season to growingseason. The weed suppression material of the bag may also becompostable. The weed suppression material of the bag may be colored onthe inside to match the color of the ground cover packaged in the bag sothat when in place, the bag, underlying the ground cover material, willnot be obtrusive in the planting bed. The weed suppression materialcomprising the bag may also be coated or impregnated with an additiveincluding fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, freeze-dried, orbeneficial microbes for release into the underlying soil. Because thearea of the unfolded bag is a known parameter, the impregnated bagprovides an accurate dose of fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide,herbicide, or beneficial microbes to the underlying soil. Further, theweed suppression material comprising the bag may also be coated with orimpregnated with an antimicrobial so that the bag does not mildew ormold during shipping, handling or storage.

In applications where the ground cover is spread over a large areawithout planting beds, the weed suppression material may be imperviousto both air and water to ensure total weed control by depriving theweeds in the underlying soil of moisture and air. In such circumstances,the impervious weed suppression material may also be used to direct theflow of water toward drainage facilities or toward adjacent plant bedsto increase the water available for such adjacent plant beds. Such animpervious weed suppression material may include, among other materials,a plastic film or a coated paper laminate.

The bag constructed of weed suppression material in accordance with thepresent invention has indicia on its outer surface indicating where andhow the bag should be opened. Particularly, the indicia may comprisebonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines to facilitate opening and use of thebag as a weed suppression material. In one embodiment of the bag inaccordance with the present invention, the bag may have bonded seams(glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printedcut lines arranged in the form of a capital “I”, with the leg of the “I”running along the center of the length of the bag and with the top andbottom bars of the “I” running along the end edges of the bag. In asecond embodiment of the bag in accordance with the present invention,the bag may have bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tearstrips, perforations, or printed cut lines arranged in the form of acapital “I”, with the leg of the “I” running along the center of thewidth of the bag and with the top and bottom bars of the “I” runningalong the side edges of the bag. In a third embodiment of the bag inaccordance with the present invention, the bag may have bonded seams(glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, or printedcut lines on both end edges and on one of the side edges of the bag. Ina third embodiment of the bag in accordance with the present invention,the bag may have bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tearstrips, perforations, or printed cut lines on both side edges and on oneof the end edges of the bag.

In use, the bag of the present invention containing the ground cover(mulch, rock, composted soil, or ground synthetic particles) is laid onthe exposed soil adjacent the plants. The bag is then opened by means ofindicia, such as bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tearstrips, perforations, or printed cut lines. Once the bag has beenopened, the bag is unfolded around the plants in the planting bed. Holesare cut or torn in the weed suppression material to accommodate theplants in the planting bed. The installation is completed by spreadingthe ground cover over the exposed portions of the unfolded bag.Alternatively, the bag and groundcover may be installed before plantsare installed in the planting bed. In that circumstance, holes are cutor torn in the bag after installation of the bag and ground cover, andthe plants are inserted through the holes in the bag into the underlyingsoil. Where enriched composted soil, such as garden soil is used asground cover, the bag is opened and placed flat over the underlyingsoil. The composted soil in the bag is then spread over the open bag.The plants are then planted through a hole in the open bag and growthrough the composted soil on top of the bag while the weeds in theunderlying soil are suppressed.

The relationship between the size of the bag and the amount of groundcover contained in the bag provides a measure for the properinstallation of the ground cover to the proper depth. In other words,the amount of ground cover included in the bag is just the right amountto cover the bag to the proper depth when the bag is unfolded. In orderto accommodate the volume of ground cover material in the bag, the bagmay also include one or more extra panels attached adjacent the bondedseams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, orprinted cut lines so that, when the bag is unfolded with the extrapanels, additional area of weed suppression material is available toaccommodate the volume of ground cover material in the bag.

Further, the present invention contemplates a bag that is constructed ofwater permeable, biodegradable material and that is filled with plantingmaterial including but not limited to enriched composted soil, mulches(organic and inorganic), soil amendment products, or mixtures thereof.Such a bag enables a method of planting individual plants, such asflowers and/or vegetables, in a planting bed while at the same timeamending the soil of the planting bed, controlling weeds in the plantingbed, and retaining moisture in the planting bed. The bag is laid out onthe planting bed, opened along indicia representing means for openingthe bag, and unfolded to a flat configuration. Once unfolded, theenriched soil is spread out to cover the water permeable, biodegradablebag. Once the bag has been opened, laid flat, and covered with theenriched soil, individual openings are made in the enriched soil, thebag, and the underlying soil of the planting bed. Individual plants areinserted into the openings and therefore in contact with the overlyingenriched soil, the water permeable biodegradable bag, and the underlyingsoil of the planting bed.

The present invention also contemplates a foundation buffer bag that isconstructed of a water impermeable, non-degradable material and that isfilled with a ground cover such as a rock material or syntheticparticles. Such a buffer bag enables a method of establishing aprotective buffer zone adjacent the foundation of a building to lowerthe risk of insect intrusion and water damage. The bag is dimensioned tocoincide with the width of the buffer zone. The buffer bag is laid outadjacent the foundation of the building, opened along indicia comprisingmeans for opening the buffer bag, and unfolded to a flat configurationadjacent the building foundation. Once unfolded, the ground cover in thebuffer bag is spread out to cover the flat impermeable, non-degradablebag except for a segment at one end. The next buffer bag is laid out inthe same fashion and overlaps the uncovered segment of the first bufferbag. The ground cover in the second buffer bag is then spread out tocover the overlap leaving another uncovered segment at the opposite endto accommodate the third buffer bag, and so on to create the bufferzone. Alternatively, the foundation buffer bag may be configured as abuffer spray bag that includes sleeves along the side edges of the frontpanel and along the side edges of the back panel. Once the spray bag isunfolded, the front panel sleeves and the back panel sleeves formsectioned sleeves along the side edges of the unfolded spray bag withgaps between the front panel sleeves and the back panel sleeves. Tubingmay then be inserted into the sleeves along the edges of the bag, andemitters or spray heads may be connected to the tubes at the gaps. Theemitters or spray heads are then used to spray pesticides onto theground cover thereby creating a pesticide treated a buffer zone adjacentthe foundation of the building. Alternatively, the tubes may be insertedinto the sleeves of the bag prior to shipment.

The present invention also contemplates a downspout bag that isconstructed of a water permeable, non-degradable material and that isfilled with a ground cover such as rock material or synthetic particles.Such a downspout bag enables a method of controlling erosion at thepoint where a downspout or other conduit discharges water onto thesurrounding landscape or where other water runoff occurs. The waterpermeable, non-degradable downspout bag is laid out so that thedownspout discharges water directly onto the front panel of the bag.Because the downspout bag is permeable, the water passes into thedownspout bag and is dispersed through the bottom panel of the downspoutbag into the surrounding soil. The ground cover in the downspout bagprovides structure for the downspout bag and keeps the back panel of thedownspout bag fully and frictionally engaged with the soil below. Theback panel of the bag may be less water permeable than front panel inorder to partially direct water away from the underlying soil.Alternatively, the water permeable, non-degradable downspout bag may beopened along indicia comprising means for opening the downspout bag andunfolded to a flat configuration under the downspout. The ground coveris then spread over the flat downspout bag so that the water dischargedfrom the downspout impinges directly on the ground cover. The groundcover holds the water permeable, non-degradable material of thedownspout bag securely against the underlying soil to frictionallyengage and hold the soil in place. In a further alternative, the waterpermeable, non-degradable downspout bag may include an additional flapthat extends from one end of the downspout bag to provide a spillway forexcess water that is not retained by the ground cover or dispersedthrough the back panel of the downspout bag into the surrounding soil.The back panel of the bag and the additional flap may be less waterpermeable than the front panel of the bag in order to partially directwater away from the area surrounding the bag and the unfolded flap.

Further objects, features and advantages will become apparent uponconsideration of the following detailed description of the inventionwhen taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of an unopened bag withbonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines in an “I” shape in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 1 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of an unopened bag withbonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines in an “I” shape in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 3 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of an unopened bag withsewn bonded seams (glued or hot melted), seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines along two end edges and along oneside edge in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 5 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of an unopened bag withsewn bonded seams (glued or hot melted), seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines along two sides edges and along oneend edge in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 7 opened and unfolded inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of an unopened bag withbonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines in an “I” shape in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the bag of FIG. 9 opened and unfolded andincluding extra panels in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a section view of planting bed soil, of a weed suppressionmaterial of the bags of FIGS. 1-10 opened and unfolded on top of thesoil, and ground cover on top of the weed suppression material all inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a section view of the planting bed soil, of a multilayer weedsuppression material of the bags of FIGS. 1-10 opened and unfolded ontop of the soil, and ground cover on top of the weed suppressionmaterial all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a downspout bag.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a downspout bag with a flap forming aspillway.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the downspout bag with the flap forming aspillway.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a spray bag with edge sleeves in aclosed configuration.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the spray bag with edge sleeves in apartially opened configuration.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the spray bag with sectioned edge sleeves andwith tubing installed.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the spray bag with sectioned edge sleeves andwith tubing and emitters installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, a first embodiment of a bag 10,constructed of weed suppression material 12 in accordance with thepresent invention, is illustrated FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 1 shows the bag 10 inits closed configuration. FIG. 2 shows the bag 10 in its openconfiguration. The bag 10 is formed of a weed suppression material 12.The weed suppression material 12 for the bag 10 may be a sheet ofperforated plastic, biodegradable/compostable plastic film, paper,cardboard, or cloth fabric (woven or nonwoven). For most planting bedapplications, the weed suppression material 12 may be a layer 13 (FIG.11) of porous material in order to allow water and air to pass throughthe weed suppression material 12 to the underlying soil 18 (FIG. 11). Inpractice, the porous layer 13 may be implemented by three layers of wetstrength Kraft paper. The number and thickness of individual layerscomprising porous layer 13 may be adjusted to meet the strictrequirements of shipping, handling and storage on one hand, and properporosity for use as a weed suppression material.

The bag 10 of the present invention may also be constructed with animpervious temporary outer coating (not shown) or an impervioustemporary internal liner 15 (FIG. 12) to ensure integrity of the bag 10during shipping, handling, and storage. The temporary impervious coatingor liner 15 dissolves when the weed suppression material 12 bag comes incontact with moist soil 18, or the temporary impervious liner 15 ismanually removed when the bag is opened. Further, the weed suppressionmaterial 12 of the bag 10 may be biodegradable within a 3 to 24 monthperiod of time to ensure suppression of weeds during the growing seasonand to ensure that the weed suppression material 12 does not build up inthe planting bed from growing season to growing season. The weedsuppression material 12 of the bag 10 may also be compostable.

The weed suppression material 12 of the bag 10 may be colored on theinside of the bag 10 to match the color of the ground cover 14 (FIGS. 11and 12) packaged in the bag 10 so that when in place, the bag 10,underlying the ground cover material, will not be obtrusive in theplanting bed. The weed suppression material 12 comprising the bag 10 mayalso be impregnated with fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide, herbicide,or beneficial microbes for release into the underlying soil. Boric acidmay be coated onto the weed suppression material 12 to reduceflammability and to provide an insecticide. Further, the weedsuppression material comprising the bag may also be coated with orimpregnated with an antimicrobial so that the bag does not mildew ormold during shipping, handling, and storage. Because the area of theunfolded bag 10 (FIG. 2) is a known parameter, the impregnated bag 10provides an accurate dose of fertilizer, pesticide, insecticide,herbicide, or beneficial microbes to the underlying soil. Likewise,because the area of the unfolded bag is known, the amount of groundcover contained in the bag can be measured to ensure that when groundcover is spread on the open bag, the ground cover is at the correctdepth.

As previously indicated, where the ground cover is spread over a largearea without planting beds, the weed suppression material 12 in the bag10 may be impervious to both air and water to ensure total weed controlby depriving the weeds in the underlying soil of moisture and air. Insuch circumstances, the impervious weed suppression material 12 may alsobe used to direct the flow of water toward drainage facilities or towardadjacent plant beds to increase the water available for such adjacentplanting beds. Such an impervious weed suppression material may include,among other materials, a plastic film or a coated paper laminate. Theplastic film or the coated paper laminate may be either permanent orbiodegradable/compostable depending on the application. The plastic filmor the coated paper laminate may also be colored to blend with the colorof the ground cover material.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the bag 10 comprises a first frontpanel 20, a second front panel 22, and a back panel 24. The first frontpanel 20, the second front panel 22, and the back panel 24 are allconnected together at a first side edge 26, a second side edge 28, afirst end edge 30, and a second end edge 32 to form the bag 10 forpackaging the ground cover material 14 during shipping, handling, andstorage. The bag 10 further has a center tear strip or indicia 34, afirst end tear strip 36, and a second end tear strip 38. (The terms“tear strip” or “indicia” as used hereinafter should be understood torefer to bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, or printed cut lines.) The center tear strip 34interconnects the first front panel 20 and the second front panel 22.The first end tear strip 36 connects the edges of the first front panel20, the second front panel 22, and the back panel 24 along the first endedge 30. The second end tear strip 38 connects the edges of the firstfront panel 20, the second front panel 22, and the back panel 24 alongthe second end edge 32.

In order to use the bag 10 as a weed suppression material, the centertear strip 34, the first end tear strip 36, and the second end tearstrip 38 are removed from the bag 10. With the tear strips 34, 36, and38 removed, the bag 10 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 2. A first sidefold line 42 corresponds to the first side edge 26 of the bag 10 (FIG.1), and a second side fold line 44 corresponds to the second side edge28 of the bag 10 (FIG. 1). Once the bag 10 has been unfolded as shown inFIG. 2, the ground cover material 14 is spread over the bag 10 in itsopen and unfolded configuration.

Although the bag 10 has been described in connection with the use oftear strips 34, 36, and 38, as indicated above, other opening means,such as bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams, perforations, orprinted cut lines may be used in connection with the present invention.Particularly, the printed cut lines direct the user to those places onthe bag that should be cut in order to open the bag 10 to its open andunfolded configuration shown in FIG. 2. Instead of printed cut lines,perforations may be provided to facilitate the opening of the bag 10along the edges and center. In another embodiment, instead of a tearstrip, the edges 30 and 32 may be sealed by a standard sewn closurewhich is easily opened by pulling on the thread of the sewn closure.Also, the center tear strip 34 may be accessible from the inside of thebag once the edges have been opened by removing the tear strips 36 and38.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a bag 100 of the presentinvention. The bag 100 comprises a first front panel 120, a second frontpanel 122, and a back panel 124. The first front panel 120, the secondfront panel 122, and the back panel 124 are all connected together at afirst end edge 126, a second end edge 128, a first side edge 130, and asecond side edge 132 to form the bag 100 for packaging the ground covermaterial during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 100 further hasa center tear strip 134, a first side tear strip 136, and a second sidetear strip 138. The center tear strip 134 interconnects the first frontpanel 120 and the second front panel 122. The first side tear strip 136connects the edges of the first front panel 120, the second front panel122, and the back panel 124 along the first side edge 130. The secondside tear strip 138 connects the edges of the first front panel 120, thesecond front panel 122, and the back panel 124 along the second sideedge 132.

In order to use the bag 100 as a weed suppression material, the centertear strip 134, the first side tear strip 136, and the second side tearstrip 138 are removed from the bag 100. With the tear strips 134, 136,and 138 removed, the bag 100 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 4. Afirst end fold line 142 corresponds to the first end edge 126 of the bag100, and a second end fold line 144 corresponds to the second end edge128 of the bag 100. Once the bag 100 has been unfolded as shown in FIG.4, the ground cover material 14 contained within the bag 100 is spreadover the bag 100 in its open and unfolded configuration. Further, aspreviously stated, other opening indicia, such as bonded seams (glued orhot melted), sewn seams, perforations, or printed cut lines, can besubstituted for the tear strips 134, 136, and 138.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of a bag 200 of the presentinvention. The bag 200 comprises a front panel 220 and a back panel 224.The front panel 120 and the back panel 224 are connected together at afirst side edge 226, a second side edge 228, a first end edge 230, and asecond end edge 232 to form the bag 200 for packaging the ground covermaterial during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 200 further hasa side tear strip 234, a first end tear strip 236, and a second end tearstrip 238. The side tear strip 234 interconnects the front panel 220 andthe back panel 224. The first end tear strip 236 interconnects the edgesof the front panel 220 and the back panel 224 along the first end edge230. The second end tear strip 238 interconnects the edges of the frontpanel 220 and the back panel 224 along the second end edge 232.

In order to use the bag 200 as a weed suppression material, the sidetear strip 234, the first end tear strip 236, and the second end tearstrip 238 are removed from the bag 200. With the tear strips 234, 236,and 238 removed, the bag 200 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 6. A sidefold line 244 corresponds to the second side edge 228 of the bag 200(FIG. 5). Once the bag 200 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 6, theground cover material 14 contained within the bag 200 is spread over thebag 200 in its open and unfolded configuration. Further, as previouslystated, other opening indicia, such as bonded seams (glued or hotmelted), sewn seams, perforations, printed cut lines, can be substitutedfor the tear strips 234, 236, and 238.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment of a bag 300 of the presentinvention. The bag 300 comprises a front panel 320 and a back panel 324.The front panel 320 and the back panel 324 are connected together at afirst end edge 326, a second end edge 328, a first side edge 330, and asecond side edge 332 to form the bag 300 for packaging the ground covermaterial during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 300 further hasan end tear strip 334, a first side tear strip 336, and a second sidetear strip 338. The end tear strip 334 interconnects the front panel 320and the back panel 324. The first side tear strip 336 interconnects theedges of the front panel 320 and the back panel 324 along the first sideedge 330. The second side tear strip 338 interconnects the edges of thefront panel 320 and the back panel 324 along the second side edge 332.

In order to use the bag 300 as a weed suppression material, the end tearstrip 334, the first side tear strip 336, and the second side tear strip338 are removed from the bag 300. With the tear strips 334, 336, and 338removed, the bag 300 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 8. A side foldline 344 corresponds to the second end edge 328 of the bag 300 (FIG. 7).Once the bag 300 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 8, the ground covermaterial 14 contained within the bag 300 is spread over the bag 300 inits open and unfolded configuration. Further, as previously stated,other opening indicia, such as bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewnseams, perforations, or printed cut lines, can be substituted for thetear strips 334, 336, and 338.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fifth embodiment of a bag 400 of the presentinvention. The bag 400 comprises a first front panel 420 with an extraunderlying panel 421, a second front panel 422 with an extra underlyingpanel 423, and a back panel 424. The first front panel 420 with itsextra underlying panel 421, the second front panel 422 with its extraunderlying panel 423, and the back panel 24 are all connected togetherat a first side edge 426, a second side edge 428, a first end edge 430,and a second end edge 432 to form the bag 400 for packaging the groundcover material during shipping, handling, and storage. The bag 400further has a center tear strip 434, a first end tear strip 436, and asecond end tear strip 438. The center tear strip 434 interconnects thefirst front panel 420 and the second front panel 422. The first end tearstrip 436 interconnects the edges of the first front panel 420, thesecond front panel 422, and the back panel 424 along the first end edge430. The second end tear strip 438 interconnects the edges of the firstfront panel 420, the second front panel 422, and the back panel 424along the second end edge 432. The underlying panel 421 is hinged to thefirst front panel 420 adjacent the center tear strip 434 and is foldedback underneath the first front panel 420 inside of the bag 400.Likewise, the underlying panel 423 is hinged to the second front panel422 adjacent the center tear strip 434 and is folded back underneath thesecond front panel 422 inside of the bag 400. The extra underlying panel421 and the extra underlying panel 423 may be placed above the firstfront panel 420 and the second front panel 422, respectively, instead ofunderlying those front panels 420 and 422.

In order to use the bag 400 as a weed suppression material, the centertear strip 434, the first end tear strip 436, and the second end tearstrip 438 are removed from the bag 400. With the tear strips 434, 436,and 438 removed, the bag 400 is then unfolded as shown in FIG. 10. Afirst side fold line 442 corresponds to the first side edge 426 of thebag 10. A second side fold line 444 corresponds to the second side edge428 of the bag 400. A third fold line 441 corresponds to the hingedconnection between the first front panel 420 and its underlying panel421. A fourth fold line 443 corresponds to the hinged connection betweenthe second front panel 422 and its underlying panel 423. The extraunderlying panels 421 and 423 provide extra weed suppression material toaccommodate the volume of ground cover material contained within the bag400. Once the bag 400 has been unfolded as shown in FIG. 10, the groundcover material 14 contained within the bag 400 is spread over the bag400 in its open and unfolded configuration with its extra area providedby the extra panels 421 and 423. Further, as previously stated, otheropening indicia, such as bonded seams (glued or hot melted), sewn seams,perforations, or printed cut lines, can be substituted for the tearstrips 434, 436, and 438.

Preferably, the bags 10, 100, 200, 300 and 400 are flat tube bags thatare sewn at the edges and along one side to provide the opening lines.Other types of bags, such as gusset bags, may be used in connection withthe invention.

One construction of bags in accordance with the present inventioncomprises a tube bag made of three layers of 50 pound basis weight, wetstrength Kraft paper. The bags were installed in planting beds with pinebark mulch. Over a seven-month period, the bags had begun to degrade inresponse to environmental conditions. The bags, however, continued tosuppress weed growth at approximately a 90% reduction compared toplanting beds without the weed suppression material.

The construction of bag 10 or 200 is suitable for use with a method forplanting individual plants, such as flowers and/or vegetables in aplanting bed with existing soil. Particularly, the bag 10 or 200 isconstructed of water permeable, biodegradable material, and the bag 10or 200 is filled with ground cover including but not limited to enrichedcomposted soil, mulches (organic and inorganic), soil amendmentproducts, or mixtures thereof. The bag 10 or 200 is laid out on theplanting bed, opened along indicia 34, 36, and 38 for the bag 10 oralong indicia 234, 236, and 238 for the bag 200. Once opened the bag 10or 200 is unfolded to a flat configuration, the ground cover in the bag10 or 200 is spread out to cover the water permeable, biodegradablematerial of the bag 10 or 200. In order to facilitate the spreading ofthe ground cover over the water permeable, biodegradable material of thebag 10 or 200, a lip may optionally be created along the edge of theflattened bag by folding and securing the material to itself along theindicia. The lip provides a barrier to retain the ground cover fromspreading beyond the edge of the flattened bag. Once the bag 10 or 200has been opened, laid flat, and covered with the ground cover,individual openings are made through the ground cover, through the waterpermeable, biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200, and into theunderlying soil of the planting bed. Individual plants are then insertedinto each of the openings. Each individual plant therefore is in contactwith the overlying ground cover, the water permeable, biodegradablematerial of the bag 10 or 200, and the underlying soil of the plantingbed. The method employing the bag 10 or 200 for planting individualplants in the planting bed offers several advantages. First, the groundcover in the bag 10 or 200 amends the soil of the planting bed anddelivers nutrients to the individual plants. Second, the waterpermeable, biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200 creates a weedbarrier between the individual plants. Third, the water permeable,biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 200 acts as a mulch to retainmoisture in the soil of the planting bed. Fourth, the water permeable,biodegradable material of the bag 10 or 20 degrades over the course of agrowing season so that the bag material can simply be tilled into thesoil of the planting bed the following year thereby eliminating the needto dispose of the bag 10 or 200.

The construction of bag 100 or 300 constitutes a foundation buffer bagand is suitable for use with a method for creating a protective bufferzone about 12-18 inches in width around the foundation of a building toinhibit the intrusion of insects and to protect against water damage.The buffer bag 100 or 300 is constructed of a water impermeable,non-degradable material, and the buffer bag 100 or 300 is filled with aground cover such as rock material or synthetic particles. In the firststep of the method, organic material is removed from the buffer zonearound the foundation of the building. The grade of the buffer zoneshould slope away from the foundation. The buffer bag 100 or 300 isdimensioned to coincide with the width of the buffer zone. After thebuffer zone has been cleared of organic material and graded, the bufferbag 100 or 300 is laid in the buffer zone adjacent the foundation of thebuilding, opened along indicia 134, 136, and 138 for the buffer bag 100and along indicia 334, 336, and 338 for the buffer bag 300, and unfoldedto a flat configuration covering the buffer zone adjacent the buildingfoundation. The buffer bag 100 or 300 may optionally have a lip aspreviously described with respect to the bag 10 or 200 used for plantingindividual plants in a planting bed. Once unfolded, the ground cover inthe buffer bag 100 or 300 is spread out to cover the flat impermeable,non-degradable material of the buffer bag 100 or 300 except for asegment of the impermeable, nondegradable material at one end of the bag100 or 300. The second buffer bag is laid out in the same fashion andoverlaps the uncovered segment of the first buffer bag. The ground coverin the second buffer bag is then spread out to cover the overlap leavinganother uncovered segment at the opposite end of the second buffer bagto accommodate the third buffer bag, and so on until the buffer zone iscovered with ground cover. The method employing the buffer bag 100 or300 for creating the protective buffer zone around the foundation of thebuilding offers several advantages. First, the ground cover, such asrock material and synthetic particles, in the protective buffer zoneinhibits ingress of insects to the foundation of the building. Second,the ground cover in the bag can be selected for size, shape, andcoloration in order to provide a desired aesthetic appearance for thebuffer zone. Third, because the material of the bag is water permeableand non-degradable the flattened bag can serve as flashing to directwater away from the foundation of the building.

Turning to FIGS. 16-19, a buffer spray bag 1600 is used to create achemical pesticide barrier around the foundation of a building.Particularly, the spray bag 1600 comprises a front panel 1620 and a backpanel 1624. The front panel 1620 and the back panel 1624 are formed of acontinuous web of water impermeable, non-degradable material with a fold1658 at fold end 1657. At the opposite opening end 1661, the front panel1620 and the back panel 1624 are coterminous. The front panel 1620 has apair of front panel sleeves 1648 connected along side edges 1626, andthe back panel 1624 has a pair of back panel sleeves 1650 connectedalong side edges 1628. The sleeves 1648 and 1650 are formed byoverlapping portions of side edges 1626 and 1628 of the front panel 1620and the back panel 1624 respectively and securing the overlap portionsby means gluing, heat bonding, or stitching along sleeve stitch lines1659 (FIG. 17). As best seen in FIG. 18, the back panel sleeves 1650 maybe slightly shorter than front panel, sleeves 1648 so that a portion1655 of the back panel 1624 extends beyond the back panel sleeve 1650 atthe opening end 1661 of the spray bag 1600. The portion 1655 assuresthat a gap 1653 exists between the back panel sleeves 1650 and the frontpanel sleeves 1648 sleeves when spray bags 1600 are laid end to end(FIG. 19).

With reference to FIG. 16, the spray bag 1600 is enclosed by stitchingthe front panel 1620 and the back panel 1624 together along side stitchlines 1664, along fold end stitch line 1662, and along opening endstitch line 1660. Prior to closing the spray bag 1600 by means ofopening end stitch line 1660, the spray bag 1600 is filled with groundcover 1614, such as rock material or synthetic particles. In alternativeembodiments, the spray bag 1600 may have sleeves 1648 and 1650 only onone side of the spray bag 1600. In addition, the sleeves 1648 and 1650and the front and back panels 1620 and 1624 may be joined by means otherthan stitching, including for example gluing.

In order to use the spray bag 1600, the spray bag 1600 is first placedflat on the ground adjacent the foundation 1668 (FIG. 19) of a buildingand is opened by removing the stitching along side stitch lines 1664,along fold end stitch line 1662, and along opening end stitch line 1660.Once the stitching has been removed, the spray bag 1600 is opened. InFIG. 17, the spray bag 1600 is shown in a partially openedconfiguration, and the spray bag 1600 is shown in its fully openconfiguration in FIGS. 18 and 19. Because the front panel 1620 and theback panel 1624 are joined by the fold 1658 that extends beyond the endsof the front panel sleeves 1648 and the back panel sleeves 1650, gaps1652 R created between adjacent the front panel sleeves 1648 and theback panel sleeves 1650. Once the spray bag 1600 has been laid flat asshown in FIGS. 18 and 19, tubing 1654 is inserted into the sleeves 1648and 1650. Emitters or spray heads 1656 are then attached to the tubing1654 where the tubing 1654 is exposed at the gaps 1652 and 1653. Withreference to FIG. 19, a liquid pesticide is delivered under pressurethrough the tubing 1654 to emitters 1656 to thereby create spraypatterns 1666 above the ground cover 1614. By periodically treating theground cover 1614 with the liquid pesticide, insects and other pests maybe controlled around the foundation 1668.

The construction of bags 10, 100, 200, and 300 are suitable for use witha method for controlling erosion at the point where a downspout or otherconduit discharges water onto the surrounding landscape or where otherwater runoff channels on a landscape occur. The bags 10, 100, 200, and300 are constructed of a water permeable, non-degradable material, andthe bags 10, 100, 200, and 300 are filled with ground cover, such asrock material or synthetic particles. The water permeable,non-degradable bags 10, 100, 200, and 300 are laid out so that thedownspout or other conduit or runoff channel discharges water directlyonto the front panels 20 and 22 of the bag 10, the front panels 120 and122 of the bag 100, the front panel 220 of the bag 200, and the frontpanel 320 of the bag 300. Because the material of the bags 10, 100, 200,and 300 is water permeable, the water passes into the bags and isdispersed into the surrounding soil through the back panel 24 of the bag10, the back panel 124 of the bag 100, the back panel 224 of the bag200, and the back panel 324 of the bag 300. The back panels may be lesswater permeable than the front panels. The ground cover providesstructure for the bag and keeps the back panel of the bag frictionallyengaged with the soil below. Alternatively, the water permeable,non-degradable bags 10, 100, 200, and 300 may be open along indicia 34,36, and 38 of the bag 10, indicia 134, 136, and 138 of the bag 100,indicia 234, 236, and 238 of the bag 200, and indicia 334, 336, and 338of the bag 300 and unfolded to a flat configuration under the downspout.The ground cover is then spread over the flat bag so that the waterdischarged from the downspout impinges directly on the ground cover. Theground cover holds the water permeable, non-degradable material of thebag securely against the underlying soil to frictionally engage and holdthe soil in place. The bag material can be colored to blend with thelandscape when the bag is used unopened, and the ground cover can besized, shaped, and colored for aesthetic purposes when the bag is usedin the opened and flat configuration.

With reference to FIGS. 13-15, and alternative downspout bag 1400 isuseful for controlling erosion at the point where a downspout 1300 orother conduit discharges water onto the surrounding landscape or whereother water runoff channels on a landscape occur. The downspout bag 1400is constructed of a water permeable, non-degradable material, and thedownspout bag 1400 is filled with ground cover 1414, such as rockmaterial or synthetic particles. The water permeable, non-degradabledownspout bag 1400 is positioned under the downspout 1300 or otherconduit or runoff channel as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The downspout bag 1400 has a front panel 1420, a back panel (not shown),and an overlying flap 1446. The downspout bag 1400 is enclosed byjoining the front panel 1420 to the back panel by means of stitch lines1464 along sides 1428, by means of an upstream end stitch line 1462along upstream end 1457, and by means of a downstream end stitch line1460 along downstream end 1461. The overlying flap 1446 is an extensionof either the front panel 1420 or the back panel of the downspout bag1400. The back panel and the overlying flap 1446 may be less waterpermeable than the front panel 1420 in order to direct the water flowaway from the downspout 1300. Before use, the downspout flap 1446 isfolded over onto the front panel 1420 and is temporarily attached to thefront panel 1420. In use, the flap 1446 is detached from the front panel1420 and unfolded into the position shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Thedownspout 1300 discharges water directly onto the front panel 1420 ofthe downspout bag 1400. Because the material of the downspout bag 1400is permeable, the water passes into the downspout bag 1400 and isdispersed into the surrounding soil through the back panel (not shown)of the downspout bag 1400. The ground cover 1414 provides structure forthe downspout bag 1400 and keeps the back panel of the downspout bag1400 frictionally engaged with the soil below. In addition, thedownspout flap 1446 provides a spillway for water that has not soakedthrough the back panel of the downspout bag 1400 and into the soilbelow. Consequently, the downspout flap 1446 alleviates soil erosionthat might occur at the downstream end 1461 of the downspout bag 1400.

While this invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that variations andmodifications can be affected within the spirit and scope of theinvention as described herein and as described in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method for planting an individual plant in a planting bedof soil: a. providing a bag that has a front panel and a back panelhaving edges and joined along the edges, that is constructed of waterpermeable, biodegradable bag material, that is filled with a groundcover, and that has indicia for opening the bag; b. placing the bag onthe planting bed; c. opening the bag along the indicia; d. unfolding thebag to a flat configuration; e. spreading the ground cover over the bagin the flat configuration; f. creating an opening through the groundcover on top of the bag and through the bag material into the underlyingsoil of the planting bed; and g. inserting the individual plant into theopening.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein ground cover is selected fromthe group comprising enriched soil, mulches (organic and inorganic),soil amendment products, and mixtures thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the indicia for opening the bag is selected from the groupcomprising bonded seams, sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, andprinted cut lines.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the front panel andthe back panel include a lip resulting from folding and securing thematerial of the front panel and the back panel to itself along the edgesof the front panel and the back panel and spreading the ground coveragainst the lip.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the front panel andthe back panel are rectangular and the indicia is located along threeedges of the bag.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the front panel andthe back panel are rectangular and the indicia is located in the frontpanel and along two end edges of the bag.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the bag material is selected from the group comprising a sheetof compostable plastic film, paper, cardboard, and cloth fabric.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the bag material includes an additiveselected from the group comprising a fertilizer, a pesticide, aninsecticide, an herbicide, and beneficial microbes for release into theunderlying soil of the planting bed.
 9. A method for establishing abuffer zone along a foundation of a building: a. providing a rectangularbag that has a front panel and a back panel joined along four edges,that is constructed of water impermeable, non-degradable bag material,that is filled with a ground cover, and that has indicia for opening thebag; b. placing the bag along the foundation; c. opening the bag alongthe indicia; d. unfolding the bag to a flat configuration along thefoundation; and e. spreading the ground cover over the bag in the flatconfiguration.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein ground cover isselected from the group comprising rock material and syntheticparticles.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein in the flat configurationeach bag has a bag area and a plurality of bags are placed end-to-endalong the foundation and are overlapped before the ground cover isspread over the entire area of each of the bags.
 12. The method of claim9, wherein the indicia for opening the bag is selected from the groupcomprising bonded seams, sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, andprinted cut lines.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the back panel andthe front panel include a lip resulting from folding and securing thematerial of the back panel and the front panel to itself along the edgesof the front panel and the back panel and spreading the enriched soilagainst the lip.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the indicia islocated along three edges of the bag.
 15. The method of claim 9, whereinthe indicia is located in the front panel and along two edges of thebag.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the bag material is selectedfrom the group comprising a water impermeable plastic film, a waterimpermeable paper material, and a water impermeable cloth fabric. 17.The method of claim 9, wherein the bag material includes an additiveselected from the group comprising a pesticide, an insecticide, and anherbicide.
 18. A method for preventing erosion of soil adjacent a waterdischarge opening: a. providing a bag that has a front panel and a backpanel having edges and joined along the edges, that is constructed ofwater permeable, non-degradable bag material, that is filled with groundcover, and that has indicia for opening the bag; b. placing the bagunder the water discharge opening; c. opening the bag along the indicia;d. unfolding the bag to a flat configuration under the water dischargeopening; e. spreading the ground cover over the bag in the flatconfiguration so that the water discharged from the water dischargeopening impinges on the ground cover and the back panel of the bagfrictionally engages the soil.
 19. The method of claim 18, whereinground cover is selected from the group comprising rock material andsynthetic particles.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the indicia foropening the bag is selected from the group comprising bonded seams, sewnseams, tear strips, perforations, and printed cut lines.
 21. The methodof claim 18, wherein the front panel and the back panel include a lipresulting from folding and securing the material to itself along theedges of the front panel and the back panel and spreading the groundcover against the lip.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the frontpanel and the back panel are rectangular and the indicia is locatedalong three edges of the bag.
 23. The method of claim 18, wherein thefront panel and the back panel are rectangular and the indicia islocated in the front panel and along two edges of the bag.
 24. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the bag material is selected from the groupcomprising a sheet of perforated plastic and cloth fabric.
 25. A methodfor establishing a pesticide enhanced buffer zone along a foundation ofa building: a. providing a rectangular bag that is constructed of waterimpermeable, non-degradable bag material and includes: i. a front paneland a back panel releasably joined along opposite side edges, releasablyjoined along a fold edge, and releasably joined along and opening endedge to form; ii. indicia for opening the bag; iii. a sleeve attached toat least one side edge; and iv. a ground cover inside the bag; b.placing the bag along the foundation; c. opening the bag along theindicia; d. unfolding the bag to a flat configuration along thefoundation; e. spreading the ground cover over the bag in the flatconfiguration; f. inserting tubing into the sleeve; g. connectingemitters to the tubing; and h. dispensing pesticide from the emittersonto the ground cover.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein ground coveris selected from the group comprising rock material and syntheticparticles.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein when in the flatconfiguration each bag has a bag area and a plurality of bags are placedend-to-end along the foundation and are overlapped before the groundcover is spread over the entire area of each of the bags.
 28. The methodof claim 25, wherein the indicia for opening the bag is selected fromthe group comprising bonded seams, sewn seams, tear strips,perforations, and printed cut lines.
 29. The method of claim 25, whereinthe front panel and the back panel include a lip resulting from foldingand securing the material to itself along the edges of the front paneland the back panel and spreading the ground cover against the lip. 30.The method of claim 25, wherein the indicia is located along three edgesof the bag.
 31. The method of claim 25, wherein the indicia is locatedin the front panel and along two edges of the bag.
 32. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the bag material is selected from the group comprisinga water impermeable plastic film, a water impermeable paper material,and a water impermeable cloth fabric.
 33. The method of claim 26,wherein the bag material includes an additive selected from the groupcomprising a pesticide, an insecticide, or an herbicide.
 34. A methodfor preventing erosion of soil adjacent a water discharge opening: a.providing a bag that is constructed of water permeable, non-degradablebag material that includes: i. a front panel and a back panel havingedges and joined along the edges, wherein the bag has an upstream endand a downstream end; ii. a ground cover contained within the bag; andiii. a flap connected to the downstream end of the bag, folded, andreleasably attached to the front panel or the back panel of the bag; b.placing the bag under the water discharge opening with the downstreamend below the upstream end; c. detaching the flap from the front panelor the back panel; and d. unfolding the flap to a flat configuration toform a spillway from the downstream end of the bag.
 35. The method ofclaim 34, wherein ground cover is selected from the group comprisingrock material and synthetic particles.
 36. The method of claim 34,wherein the indicia for opening the bag is selected from the groupcomprising bonded seams, sewn seams, tear strips, perforations, andprinted cut lines.
 37. The method of claim 34, wherein the front paneland the back panel include a lip resulting from folding and securing thematerial to itself along the edges of the front panel and the back paneland spreading the ground cover against the lip.
 38. The method of claim34, wherein the front panel and the back panel are rectangular and theindicia is located along three edges of the bag.
 39. The method of claim34, wherein the front panel and the back panel are rectangular and theindicia is located in the front panel and along two edges of the bag.40. The method of claim 34, wherein the bag material is selected fromthe group comprising a sheet of perforated plastic or cloth fabric. 41.A spray bag for creating a pesticide enhanced buffer zone along afoundation of a building comprising: a. a front panel having a frontpanel side edge with a length and having a front panel sleeve extendingalong the length of the front panel side edge; and b. a back panelhaving a back panel side edge with a length and having a back panelsleeve extending along the length of the back panel side edge, whereinthe front panel and the back panel are releasably joined along oppositeside edges, releasably joined along a fold edge, and releasably joinedalong an opening end edge to form an enclosed bag containing a groundcover material.
 42. The spray bag of claim 41, wherein ground cover isselected from the group comprising rock material and syntheticparticles.
 43. The spray bag of claim 41, wherein the back panel and thefront panel are constructed of a material selected from the groupcomprising a water impermeable plastic film, a water impermeable papermaterial, and a water impermeable cloth fabric.
 44. The spray bag ofclaim 41, wherein the indicia for opening the bag is selected from thegroup comprising bonded seams, sewn seams, tear strips, perforations,and printed cut lines.
 45. The spray bag of claim 41, wherein the frontpanel sleeve is shorter in length than the length of the front panelside edge.
 46. The spray bag of claim 41, wherein the back panel sleeveis shorter in length than the length of the back panel side edge. 47.Spray bag of claim 41, wherein the spray bag, when in an open andunfolded configuration with the ground cover exposed and spread,includes tubing inserted into the sleeves for attachment to a source ofa pesticide and emitters connected to the tubing for spraying thepesticide onto the exposed ground cover
 48. A downspout bag forpreventing erosion of soil adjacent a water discharge opening: a. afront panel and a back panel having edges and joined along the edges,wherein the bag has an upstream end and a downstream end; b. a groundcover contained within the bag; and c. a flap connected to thedownstream end of the bag, folded, and releasably attached to the frontpanel or the back panel of the bag.
 49. The downspout bag of claim 49,wherein ground cover is selected from the group comprising rock materialand synthetic particles.
 50. The downspout bag of claim 49, wherein thebag material is selected from the group comprising a sheet of perforatedplastic or cloth fabric.
 51. The downspout bag of claim 49, wherein theback panel of the bag and the flap are less water permeable than thefront panel of the bag.